49ers to play home games in Arizona

Keeping an eye on the world of sports during the pandemic:

The 49ers announced on Monday that they will play two home games in Arizona after new coronavirus regulations put in place by officials in Santa Clara County, California, forced the team to find a temporary new home.

The 49ers host the Bills next Monday night and Washington on Dec. 13 at State Farm Stadium, home of the Cardinals, because they can’t practice or play games at Levi’s Stadium for three weeks.

The team said it will have information on practice arrangements later but it will likely need to look outside the area because the rules imposed by the county will require the players to quarantine for 14 days any time they travel more than 150 miles.

Niners CEO Jed York said the team had offers from San Diego and Arizona but playing at the Cardinals' home proved to be the best option. He thanked Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell and the officials in Arizona for their help in “these unprecedented times.”

“The Cardinals organization, State Farm Stadium and League officials have been supportive and accommodating as we work through the many logistical issues involved in relocating NFL games,“the 49ers said in a statement.

Santa Clara County announced rules Saturday that include a three-week ban on practices and games for contact sports starting Monday. The Niners were on a plane getting ready to travel to Los Angeles, where they beat the Rams 23-20 on Sunday, when the players and coaches heard about the rules.

Nowthey will likely head on an even longer road trip while trying to make a late-season playoff run. San Francisco is currently one game out of a playoff spot.

The county said the dramatic rise in cases required “quick action” and that the priority was making sure there is enough hospital space to deal with the coronavirus and any other health issues.